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A Nova Scotia Power lineman is leaving his job because he thinks the company plans to outsource his position.

Duane Shay is one of the crew who repairs downed lines during storms, among other tasks. But he no longer feels secure with the utility.

“They can't go after the customers anymore because they've squeezed everything they can out of them. So they're coming after us,” he said.

He said he is frustrated to be leaving his home province, but after 12 years at Nova Scotia Power and its parent company Emera, he feels he has no choice.

"It's almost like they have a gun to your head threatening you of the possibility of layoffs,” he said.

Utility ordered to save $27.5M

The company is looking at contracting out his job and that of hundreds of other employees to save money. The company eliminated 80 positions last year as part of a two-year plan approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board requiring it to find savings of $27.5 million.

The company said the outsourcing initiative is separate from the Rate Stabilization Plan, although it acknowledged the outsourcing is part of an effort to control costs.